September 2004
Hi All
Reading through my MX 5's owners manual tonight it's absolutely FULL of "CAUTION!" and "WARNING!" boxes with classics like;
"Do not attempt to install the hardtop with the convertible top also up."
"Standing in the vehicle...when it's moving is a dangerous way to ride. Sit in the seat...when the vehicle is moving"
"Closing power windows are dangerous. A person's hands, head, or even neck could be caught by the window..."
"Using a cup holder to hold hot liquids while the vehicle is moving is dangerous. If the contents spill you could be scalded..."
etc etc
Is it just Mazda trying to cover themselves...? Read more
In view of the recent discussions on the importance of a good cooling system to protect the head gasket on the K-series, is the choice of AF important?
I tend to use Halfords AF (which has the relevant BS number) on my cars.
Read more
All antifreeze that meets the relevant BS specs will be fine.
After 2000MY, OAT type AF was used.....don't mix the two.
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groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....
Hi all,
I am opting out of the company car scheme and have gone for the above. However, I note it has 30k service intervals.
I am not keen on letting oil soldier on for that length of time, and intend to drop it every 10k or so. Could anyone advise what oil Vauxhall use (Synth/semi-synth/whatever)so I could use similar? Thanks. Read more
Sooty, going onto the subject of oil,what is it packaged as?
I have been offered a set of new Landcruiser LC5 17" Alloys complete with 265/65/R17 Dunlop AT20 tyres at a too good to miss price. Does anybody know if they will suit my 02Reg Landcruiser Colorado D-4D which currently has 16" Alloys with 265/70/R16 Dunlops. Assuming they fit are there any pitfalls?
Thanks in advance. Read more
The following link may help inform your decision.
www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Carse
Has anyone had any experience of owning a Citroen Multispace?
I had a test drive of one last week (2 litre HDI)and was mightily impressed with the amount of room inside, the comfort and the way it drove - by the way,I know it's based upon a van!
Any comments would be welcome. Read more
Thanks everyone for your advice - it confirmed my first impressions of the car. It's definitely on the short list now!
I have just bought a 97 P Astra, and the heater panel is not lighting when the lights are turned on.
How do you gain access to the bulb? I have tried undoing the 2 screws at the bottom edges of the panel, and removed the stereo but still cannot free the panel to see the bulb.
Any help would be gratefully received.
Thanks
Darren Read more
I gave up and paid my local dealer £30 to change all 3 bulbs. Trust me, it's not worth the hassle of trying to do it yourself.
Just had a letter from the AA saying my good lady and I have called them out 4 times in the present year(runs oct to oct for me)Apparently I am allowed 6 after which they will charge me £95 for any subsequent breakdown. To cap it all they said if our cars are unreliable call into one of their service centres where their experts would be able to service them. One of the callouts was for pop up headlights which didn't and their guy couldn't fix it. I sprayed them with WD40 the next day and up they came. Another was when I did the thing we all dread, loaded the boot, shut it tight and realised I'd dropped the keys in there. Now if they are going to charge for overuse surely they must reimburse for under use....opinions please. Read more
Agreed that AA's service has always in the past been excellent...much more accurate than the silly garage that tried to mend the problem.
However, I have some sympathy with the view that a company which penalises customers for excessive call outs should, at the other end of the scale reward customers who do not in the end use the service.
Splodgeface
Took delivery today of a new 330d sport. Just had a call from the after sales guy asking how I liked the car etc.. Then dropped the bombshell that when I'd ordered the car in June they'd used the pre-increase prices by mistake. He hoped that he'd be able to appeal to my conscience and would I meet him so that we could come to some arrangement. He readily admitted that I could just tell him to get lost, but hoped that I wouldn't. I reckon the difference is about £5-600. I got a pretty good deal originally and I'm tempted to meet him half way with £250, or I could just tell him to sod off. Anyone had any similar experience? Read more
i cant believe you asked the question.
im going to try this one in the future!
I have been advised by a colleague to join this forum and seek advice on problems that I have had with a VW Passat.
I bought the car (new) from a VW dealer in 2002 - it is a 1.8 petrol model.
I had problems from the first week of ownership. Problems have included a failed alternator (which caused a breakdown), repeated display of the engine management warning light, a dahboard that creaks a great deal, a problem with the airbag system (warning light coming on). The burglar alarm/locking is also a bit temperamental. The air conditioner chose to pack in this summer but I have not yet been to the dealer with it.
The biggest problem, however has been a problem with the engine electronics which has caused the car to completely stop on three occassions. The last time was in July in France. Fortunately the French dealers are better trained that their UK equivalents and they quickly found a faulty engine sensor and some wires that had been damaged during assembly. It runs much better now.
My question is: Can I claim from VW for all the aggro I have had with this car. I have made numerous trips to the dealer over the past two years, which has meant taking time out of work. Transport has been a problem because the dealers usually need notice of a loan car booking - not easy when the car breaks down. On one occasion they had the car for 2 weeks (when the engine warning lamp came on) trying unsuccessfully to diagnose the fault. The dealer is totally disinterested in my problems and even suggested that since I have a problematic car I might like to trade it in for a new one which would be less troublesome!
I would like to take them to a small claims court for compensation for loss of time and inconvenience. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed with this.
Thank you.
A Lees Read more
Thanks to all who replied to my query.
Since I last wrote, the VW has broken down once more. I had an RAC man out to it and was surprised to find that the RAC carry 'computer diagnostics' in a little black case. It plugs into a connector on the dashboard.
He seemed more clued up than the dealers and diagnosed an electronic fault. The car was towed to the dealers (the RAC have an amazing trailer systems which unfolds itself, electrically, out of the back of the van!).
The RAC guy commented that he gets lots of calls to VWs and Audis, mostly with electronic failures and faulty immobilisers.
After four days I have got the car back from the dealer.
I have now decided not to argue with VW or seek compensation because it is simply too much hassle and life is too short. I have been looking at the updated Nissan Primera and will probably be ordering one soon.
The irony of the Passat is that prior to buying it new in 2002 I owned a Nissan Primera from new, 1993-2002. It did over 100,000 miles and only required new spark plug wires and a new starter motor. I sold it and got the Passat because I was scared it would break down!
The Passat has spent more time in the workshop in 2 years than the Nissan did in 9 years!
I will not be buying a VW again. It has been a dreadful experience.
I have a 2002 Basic four door 1.2 Punto 18k on clock, and in May I had a full service. It was highlighted that I needed new brake pads (front) and they fitted them accordingly. However, 5k on there is a squeeling sound about ever 4 out of 6 presses of the brake from the front. If I brake hard, not an emergency stop, the brakes do not squeel. If there was a probelm with the discs, would they of highlighted this on the major service? From the description what seems to be at fault? Would it be covered by a)the cars warranty, b)the parts warranty on the fitted pads, c)I have to pay for it and if so is it expensive? Or could it be a lubricant probelm?
Also, on the service my rear bushes were running dry (a common probelm I believe) they regreased them under warranty, but the problem has come back. The noise comes a goes (especially when it is wet, the noise stops) but when it is dry it reappears.
Is there anything more I can insist on them doiing to rectify the problem?
Thanks Read more
Also, on the service my rear bushes were running dry (a
common probelm I believe) they regreased them under warranty, but the
problem has come back. The noise comes a goes (especially when
it is wet, the noise stops) but when it is dry
it reappears.
Is there anything more I can insist on them doiing to
rectify the problem?
Thanks
We had this on my wife's V-reg Punto 1.2 base - turned out to be "handbrake clamps" (whatever those are) rather than (as expected) bushes. These were tightened up and the noise has not recurred in 18 months. Worth a try?
WARNING: Don't have kids, because they'll die one day.